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By Walter Jayawardhana reporting from Los Angeles

Canada’s Liberal Party government of Prime Minister Jean Chretien placed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in a list of 83 individuals and organizations linked to terrorism and ordered their property be frozen.

Finance minister Paul Martin and Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley announced November 7 that the Canadian government has listed these additional 83 individuals and organizations linked to terrorism whose property are to be frozen and reported to the relevant authorities.

“In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, Canada and its allies declared war on terrorism,” Minister Martin stated. “We are continuing to target groups and individuals who use violence and unlawful means to achieve their goals.”

“Minister Manley added: “Canada remains committed to working with our international allies to ensure that terrorists are cut off from the money that funds their criminal activities.”

A recent editorial published by the Canadian daily, The National Post estimated that due to the previous lax policies of the Jean Chretien government Tamil Tigers were extorting about 30 million Canadian dollars to bankroll terrorism in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government also said that the Canadian fund raising gives the terrorist group one fourth of their foreign income earned among the Tamil Diaspora all over the world.

If the financial restrictions imposed by Canada’s latest anti-terrorism legislation could be efficiently implemented, it is strongly believed a dent could be made to the terrorist plans of the group. But legislation alone would not help the anti-terrorist cause of the Western governments. Intelligence agencies believe that the Tamil Tigers are still collecting money underground through nefarious activities, in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where the terrorist group is proscribed.

A media release from the Canadian Ministry of Finance said the decision to add the new names to the schedule contained in the United Nations Suppression of Terrorism Regulations was taken by the Governor in Council following a recommendation from Canadian security and intelligence agencies.

The media release said as a result of today’s action, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial institutions is sending a letter to all federally regulated financial institutions advising whose assets should be frozen.

Provincial and territorial financial regulators are also being advised of the new names.

The Ministry of Finance release said that financial institutions are obliged to review their records for the name of the new individuals and entities. In case a review turns up information, the Ministry of Finance said, these accounts and contracts are frozen. The information is then passed on to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

The statement of the Ministry said the effort to combat terrorist financing are part of the government’s anti-terrorist plan, which has four objectives:(a) stop terrorists from getting into Canada and protect Canadians from terrorist acts. (b) bring forward tools to identify, prosecute, convict and punish terrorists (c) prevent the Canada US border from being compromised by terrorists and (d) work with the international community to bring terrorists to justice and address the root causes of terrorism.

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